Episode 1203 Verden – 3
World-renowned appraiser───Lennon Bernard.
His true identity was a follower of fate, along with the former Iderant Alliance leader, Teriwen. Although Verden had executed Teriwen, Lennon Bernard’s whereabouts remained unknown.
anyway.
When Leader Teriwen summoned Lennon as a witness while mentioning the whereabouts of the Dragon Sword Magras, he mentioned three prophecies at the World Council,claiming they were left by a poet and prophet named Baaren Moru who lived approximately 400 years ago.
A pitch-black coffin hanging in the west.In Mother’s cold yet warm embrace.In that pool.The entire body of a blood-soaked dragon will rise.
This is the full text of the prophecy regarding the Dragon Sword.
On the day of the annular solar eclipse,a Dragon Sword appearsin the Inland Sea of Hyaremar .
The interpretation of this was as follows.
When the annular eclipse occurred, a massive island rose from the inland sea of Hiaremar, and the ancient king was resurrected from the deepest underground where the dragon sword was embedded.They tried desperately to stop it, but regardless of the process, it ultimately unfolded according to fate.
|The power to initiate an unrealized future and shape the flow of events… …It appears to be a power that interferes with causality by revealing the results in advance. It certainly suits the destiny of fixing causality.|
Verden spoke the fragments of the first attempt he had concluded.Isabella, Alpha, Beta, and even Noxias, who knew the First Apostle’s ability, remained silent and listened in silence.
Verden’s interested parties shall not be penalized for sharing the information he has obtained—this newly enacted rule carries the meaning of guaranteeing Verden’s right to speak and the interested parties’ right to know.
So, just because you heard it from Verden doesn’t mean you can say it out loud.
If Isabella were to say even a single wrong word here, she would immediately face sanctions from the taboo.Although the severity of punishment varied for each taboo, it was best not to touch it, as even a trivial matter compared to other important things could have a fatal effect.
Or, going further, the spoken sentence itself might be able to trigger a flow of causality. However, considering that it was specifically mentioned at the World Conference through a follower, there seem to be limitations in various ways. To give a simple example, one could have told the greatest number of people to make them believe the prophecy, or at least made them care.
Verden shared some of the taboos and concluded with his own views.
I should keep past prophecies in mind from now on. Perhaps they might be dismantled if I deny them and make the majority lose faith in them.
He gave advice.
|Everyone please keep this in mind|
Verden’s understanders responded by quietly nodding their heads.For now, only one question remained to be asked of Noxias, but before that, the truth had to be told to Isabella first so that she could understand this.
|Isabella|
“huh?”
Verden suddenly changed the subject.
The devil was originally also human.
* * *
Noxias, born of the creation of fate, naturally knew about the taboos regarding souls and the impending apocalypse, and since Alpha and Beta had already heard about it, Isabella was the only one left to listen.
“The origin of the devil is…… what?”
Isabella showed various reactions.
The public may not know it, but she was a woman with such a colorful range of expressions.It was only natural. After all,there was no way a person with such exceptional musical talent—to the point where Kiefer—Assetro Oldin—was not rich in emotion.
The end of the universe.The background of the soul’s birth.The final land.
Verden finished his explanation eloquently.
Alpha and Beta could have clapped their very small hands as usual to praise Verden as if to say he had worked hard, but now they remained politely silent.
A silence befitting the pitch-black darkness around them enveloped them.
“If the devil had originated from a human… surely not.”
Isabella placed her trembling hand on the back of Verden’s hand.
“Th-then you’re saying my family could also… have turned into demons and still be alive…?”
Head maid Marianne.Gardener Carver.Younger brother Cael.
She never forgot for a single moment those who had been brutally murdered in the Bohemian Tower.That made it even harder to control her emotions.Whether those who had died because of her were crushed by the wheel of fate to become material, or whether their souls had twisted under pain and pressure while escaping the fifth world and transformed into demons… it was difficult to accept any of it.Isabella also thought of her parents, who had died before she had grown up. And she suddenly recalled the kind neighbors who had lived in her hometown and died there.
[It is unlikely that the family members were reborn as demons.]
At this, Noxias said.
[And even if you became a devil, it would be different from your memories.]
As most demons have their original forms crushed by the gravitational pull and dimensional pressure of the fifth world… there are very few demons who remember even a little bit of their past lives.
Even beings possessing intelligence on par with humanity are few in number. The rate at which highly intelligent beings like the Demon Legion Commanders are born can be seen as similar to the rate at which transcendent beings emerge from humans.
What are the odds of a miraculous reunion where one escapes from fate, climbs up through the rifts of the world while fully preserving their memories and self, and arrives at this first world, the continent?
The Great Demon Noxias immediately gave a conclusion.
Do not hope for a vain miracle.
Even if you were to gather all of an individual’s luck since the beginning of time, it would be difficult. Moreover, there are three of them. If you add the parents, it is five, and if you add the neighbors, it is even more.The very idea that a miracle happens to all of them is no different from ‘you’ abandoning your fate and accepting demons as your children.
Thump.
It was then that Isabella was shaken by despair.
The words are not finished yet.
“……house owner?”
There is hope
Verden held her hand firmly and gestured to Noxias with his chin.
Explain.As God wills.
[The devil may be cunning, devious, and wicked, but he never promises a lie. This is a fundamental reaction against being born as a byproduct of a false destiny. As long as every devil is a devil, there are no exceptions.]
Noxias stared at Isabella with the appearance of a cold boy.
[This is also Ifeakarn’s nature.]
“That means…….”
[A sincere devil’s pact is not compelled. You will not be killed for refusing the contract. Every contract is premised on a sincere mutual agreement.]
Noxias crossed his legs.
[Think about it, Isabella Deiros. What do you think Ifeakarn promised Xenia Deiros when he offered her the contract? What kind of price did he whisper for your sister to sincerely accept a contract with that sinister tentacled fellow?]
Although Xenia had grown up since I last saw her, her feelings were no different than before.Just like Isabella herself during the time she hadn’t met Verden, Xenia was living in the nightmare of the day the mansion burned down.
The resurrection of the family.
[Ifeakarn was at the scene of that tragedy.]
The Great Demon watched the tragedy of the Deiras family, formerly nobles of the Magic Kingdom. The figure of a demon stood beside Isabella and Zenia as they wailed.
[Ipheakarn saved Xenia Deiros. And, going further, even went so far as to accept a contract to resurrect his dead family… … .]
Noxias tilted his head slightly.
[Did you understand?]
“You mean the family’s souls are with Ifeakarn.”
[If you are hoping for the family you remember, then it is a blessing in disguise. Had you gone where you were originally meant to go, you would have become one with the wheel long ago… However, misfortune is ultimately misfortune.]
He continued speaking.
[What did Xenia Deiros say to you about Ifeakarn?]
“……nothing.”
[Ifeakarn is adept at manipulating contractors by using the constraints of the contract as leverage. He will never relinquish that control. For merely holding onto the House of Deiros is enough to exert influence even over our god.]
Sister Isabella cannot turn a blind eye to the souls of her family, and Verden cannot abandon Isabella. For Ifeakarn, it was an unprecedented stroke of luck. Afterall, he could never have dared to imagine that the human he had used as a minion decades ago would be virtually directly connected to the Destroyer of Fate.
[Of course, it would be simple if I gave up my soul… … .]
I am responsible for Isabella’s family.
Verden flatly dismissed his words.
So do not be mean with words you do not mean, Noxias.
Verden was a pillar. He was the head and patriarch of the family called Eon. What did the inevitable end of the entire universe matter? Even if the apocalypse came, Isabella could accept it with a smile as long as she was by Verden’s side.
[Don’t act tough as a newcomer.]
[Noxias. You’re going to get scolded.]
[What? How dare you… … .]
Alpha and Beta each casually added another remark. What a rude attitude, typical of Oldarc’s creations. Noxias trembled inwardly and nodded in agreement.
[I will be careful, God.]
With this last question, I will wrap things up for today.
Please say anything.
The end of the conversation was slowly in sight.
If using powerful souls as materials can hasten the completion of destiny… … what happens to the souls of the Transcendents?|
Transcendents are born resistors and thus a thorn in the side of Fate, but because their souls are as strong as their level, they were also excellent materials for Fate.The First Demon King could not have failed to consider this point when designing the concept of the Transcendent.
[No transcendent being unites with the Wheel of Fortune unless they submit of their own accord. If you were to forcibly use them as material, extreme backlash would ensue, causing only cracks in the concept you have painstakingly constructed.]
Then… … |
[I also only perceive it theoretically, and that is all I know, but it is as God intended.]
Noxias did not spare an answer for Verden once again.
[Transcendents are not consumed by fate. Unless they wish for it.]
Then, what happens to the souls of deceased transcendents when they fall into the fifth world? What became of the transcendents who have died on this continent so far?
Verden and his party were left with another question.
* * *
Noxias brought the forces he had accumulated into Eon and obtained various unexpected information. He achieved his purpose in coming to Rivereas.
Verden and his party returned to the deepest part of the Great Hall.
As a result, the number of party members remained the same, but the composition was slightly different.Leaving the Shadow Demon found in the Silent Desert in the safe and comfortable Rivereas… …they brought the Highest-Ranking Demon instead.
“Sigh—Phew… Ah, excuse me. Oh God, no, Lord Verden. It has been such a long time since I breathed in the air of this world that I have shown a pathetic side of myself, hehe.”
Commander of the Legion of Corruption – Beriel.
She was perfectly disguised as a human woman, so it was impossible to detect that she was a demon. Even Verden felt like an indistinguishable human unless he concentrated hard.As Noxias’s direct liaison, she now remained in Eon’s territory.
“I would even lay down my life for Lord Verden, so please make me work roughly.”“Very well, I entrust you with this.”“A request? Such undeserved words…”“Cayman, we have business outside. So go up first, guide Beriel, and introduce her to the Guardians.”“Understood… Lord Verden.”
Cayman still seemed dazed.He’ll come to his senses soon enough.
Isabella spoke only after Cayman and Beriel had escaped this deepest part.
“It’s going to be a commotion because of Beriel for a while. Romer would be absolutely crazy about it, in particular.”“I’m sure he would.”
Alpha and Beta also agreed.
[Romer is a disgrace. Beta. A bet?]
[I will take it. I will bet 100 million Elk that Romer is flirting with Beriel while giving her flowers.]
[Romer. Offering drinks on first meeting. 200 million Elk. Bring it on?]
[I will raise it to 300 million Elk.]
[Confirmed. Little brat. Bring it on.]
For reference, Romer, the lonely wolf who lusts after women, survived the war. Although he had his fingers blown off and a knife lodged near his heart, nearly dying, he somehow managed to survive and receive treatment. Itwas obvious how he would react if he saw a devilish beauty like Beriel.
“Let’s go to Arrain for a moment.”“So you’re going to the orphanage.”
I haven’t been able to visit throughout the war, so it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen the director.
You should take care of things while you can.
* * *
At the time of the outbreak of the Blood-Crying Plague, the orphanage that relocated from the village of Lascabel to Arrain was given the new name Arrain.
“Oh my, Verden! Lobeline and even Isabella…! H-h-hurry up and come in, hurry!”
Myla, who greeted Verden and his party at the entrance, could not hide her joy in the slightest and hurriedly grabbed their sleeves and pulled them in.
“It’s Verden!”“Isabella!”“Robeline!”“Alpha! Alpha and Beta are here too!”“Alpha is mine!”“Beta! Beta, please do that for us!”
The children swarmed over and chattered like baby birds next to Myla.
[Alpha and Beta. In charge of play. Sacrifice is by nature voluntary. Follow Alpha.]
[I will move.]
Alpha climbed atop a girl’s head, reigning and commanding, while Beta moved from place to place, juggling the children very calculatingly and steadily.
“Everyone’s okay, right? Right? You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”“Yes, Director.”“I am, and as you can see, Gaju is fine too.”
There was no awkwardness, as not only Verden and Lobeline but also the two artificial golems and Isabella often showed up at the Arrain Orphanage.
“That’s a relief…… It’s really a relief…….”
Myla breathed a sigh of relief as she traced their faces and hands over and over again.To Verden, this place was like home.
I suddenly had that thought.
Why did I become the god of the abandoned?
That background might have already been formed before the reversal of heaven. Not fate, but merely a coincidental destiny. A theory of inevitability that the host had not yet proven.
Verden was an orphan.
Verden was abandoned. Whether abandoned by his parents or by the world, he was simply alone. And being alone, he was a being who knew nothing.
There was a guardian who embraced such a helpless and useless Verden, willingly taking responsibility for him and raising him. An ordinary and frail woman named Myla, who knew how to volunteer for sacrifice—the Headmistress… my mother.
You worked so hard, Verden.
Abandoned, yet saved.That is how Verden’s story began.
